Salvation is Where the Journey Begins!

Excerpt from Journey to Promise - Chapter 1- Salvation is Where the Journey Begins

 Copyright (c) 2024 LaDonna K Sanders

Transcript

Welcome to "Healing Waters," the Podcast where you are listening to "Stories of Faith," where God's Words meet modern hearts. I'm your host, LaDonna Sanders – thank you for joining me on this journey of inspiration and hope. 

I am glad you have tuned in today. Over the next several months, we will explore my most recently released book, Journey to Promise. Chapter 1 is titled "Salvation Is Where the Journey Begins." 

Life can often feel overwhelming, and we find ourselves searching for protection, guidance, and help. I want to remind you today that God has promised to be our help.

God promises safety, provision, and redemption to anyone willing to receive His gift of love in the person of Jesus Christ. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines a promise as "a legally binding declaration that gives the person to whom it is made a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of a specific action." The Bible talks about promises, and the Greek word for promise is epaggelia, which is defined as "a promised good or blessing."

We were created by God to succeed, to reign in life, and to impact this world with good. We are here to demonstrate His love and bring glory to Him. The Bible tells us in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not evil, to give you an expected end." God has an excellent plan for your life—a life filled with love, peace, and purpose. However, here is something you must understand: God is a gentleman. He is in control but does not force His will on us. He will pursue us with grace, mercy, and love, and then  He patiently waits for us to choose to seek Him and accept all He has for us.

This podcast is an invitation to experience God's promised peace and purpose! I encourage you to embark on this journey with me, to encounter God in a personal way, and to discover how He can transform your life.

A relationship with Jesus Christ is about much more than avoiding hell. It is about experiencing inner peace, joy, and knowing that God is always with you. No matter what life throws your way, He will support, protect, and love you deeply.

Let's think about Adam and Eve for a moment. They were given everything by God but lost it all due to disobedience, which brought sin into the world and caused a rift between humanity and God. But in His deep love for us, God provided a way for that relationship to be restored through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus willingly gave up His life on the cross, and His blood paid for our sins, offering us the chance to be reconciled to God. Can you think of anyone else who would be willing to sacrifice their life for you? There is only one—Jesus.

I decided years ago to invite Jesus into my heart. I asked God to forgive me, and to change my life. It was the best decision I have ever made. Jesus healed my broken heart and filled the emptiness in my soul. The Lord has given me purpose and peace. I can confidently say that God has kept His promises in my life, and He will keep them for you as well. Even when life is difficult, He will never abandon you, and you will never have to face it alone. Hebrews 13:5-6 tells us, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

I have walked this journey of faith for some time, and I can tell you that, though life may bring challenges. The rewards for staying committed to Jesus are immeasurable. We will go through pain and disappointment, but the love, truth, and peace we experience from God far outweigh the negative. I have experienced fear, shame, and disappointment, and shed many tears. However, I am still standing today, all because of God's grace, mercy, and love towards me. 

Have you ever asked yourself why you are here? Do you feel like there is more to life than just getting by? I spent years trying to figure out life on my own, just surviving until I realized I needed help. The missing piece in my life was Jesus. He rescued me from a life of meaninglessness and trial and error, and I am so grateful for the Lord's grace, mercy, and guidance in my life. 

In reading God's Word, I learned that Jesus gave His life to save me from my sins and offer me abundant life—a full and meaningful life. I realized that God wanted the best for me and that His abilities are boundless. What do I mean by that? Please take a moment to think about the planets, and the synchronization of the solar system, one scientist calls it the Great Cosmic Dance. Consider the oceans, the mountains, and the intricate workings of our own bodies. God created all of that, and He created you uniquely. There is no one else like you. That is what I mean when I say His abilities are boundless. 

You are not an accident. Even if you feel like you were not part of your parents' plan, God had a purpose for you from the beginning. Psalm 139 says that you are "fearfully and wonderfully made." So do not experiment with your life any longer—accept God's invitation to follow His plan. He wants to lead you to a place of peace and purpose. Jesus wants you to experience His love! 

Salvation, the journey we are discussing, begins when you accept God's gift of love through Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us in Romans 10:9-10 that if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved. When you accept this gift, you are born again, your sins are forgiven, and you are reconciled to God. You become part of His family and receive the promise of eternal life.

If you are ready to begin this journey to promise, to receive peace and purpose in your life, I want to invite you to pray this prayer with me right now:

"Dear God, today, I confess I am a sinner and realize that my sins have separated me from You. I believe that Jesus Christ is your Son; I believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. Lord,  I believe that Jesus was raised from the dead by Your power, God, to restore my relationship with You. Lord, I repent. Forgive me for the sins I have committed before You. Lord Jesus, come into my heart today and save me. Cleanse me and help me by Your Holy Spirit to follow You and love You all the days of my life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen."

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of God! This is just the beginning of your journey; the best is yet to come.

Remember, God loves you, has a purpose for your life, and will keep every promise He has made. Thank you for listening to the Healing Waters podcast today. I look forward to sharing more with you in the next episode. Until then, take care and keep walking in the promises of God. 

Feel free to pause, reflect, and revisit this message whenever you need encouragement. Life may not always be easy, but God is always faithful. 

God Bless!

You have been listening to The Healing Waters Podcasts. You can follow Healing Waters on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Denzer, and Spotify. If this Podcast is blessing you, share it with a friend! 

Thank you for listening. Remember that God loves you and wants you to be well in mind, body, soul, and Spirit. God Bless!